Abstract: A washing apparatus for providing a fluid such as hot water to either a spray nozzle or a dishwasher. A thermostatically controlled heated water storage tank supplies fluid to a piping system having a first branch and a second branch. The first branch is directed to the inlet of a pumping system which pumps hot water to a first outlet of the apparatus. The first branch also includes a bypass line. The second branch of the piping system is directed toward a second outlet of the apparatus and includes a flow sensing switch. The first outlet is adapted for connection to a spray wand having a high pressure nozzle therein for supplying high pressure sprayed fluid as desired. The second outlet is adapted for connection to a dishwasher having a solenoid controlled inlet valve. As long as the dishwasher is not running, the pumping system and spray wand may be used normally.

Abstract: An automatic cup-filling control arrangement for beverage dispensers utilizes the spray or mist of liquid droplets, formed by flowing beverage striking beverage already in the cup, to complete an electrical circuit. This electrical circuit extends from an electrically conducting member, such as an actuating lever, to beverage flowing through a dispensing valve. When the mist of droplets permits a pre-established magnitude of current to flow between the actuating lever and the flowing beverage, which occurs when beverage in the cup reaches a pre-determined level, dispensing of the beverage is terminated.

Abstract: A separable connector for use in conveying beverage concentrate from a pressurized source to a dispenser has the bias springs for valve actuation isolated from the concentrate. This feature, coupled with a removal of areas that can cause a congregation of concentrate and the use of relatively large flow path areas, provides a connector that has a minimum of blockage problems. Other important aspects of this connector include poppet valve structure, sealing arrangements, easy cleaning by back flow, a simple and effective engaging of connector sections, easy disassembly of connector sections and an interlock arrangement to insure a proper sequence for valve actuation.

Abstract: This drop-down toaster has a bread support and a door at the bottom of each toasting compartment. The door has a series of vent holes for air convection which produces improved uniformity in the toast. The door and bread support are held closed by rollers on solenoid-controlled sliding bars. The rollers allow the door to swing open before the bread support is released, and they return the door and bread support to their normal condition automatically by a cam action. The bread support is cammed upwardly before release to dislodge bread from the toasting compartment guide wires. An electronic timing circuit is located in a base underneath and spaced vertically from the toasting section so that it is not affected by heat from the toasting section. The timing circuit is compensated in accordance with previous use rather than by sensing the temperature of the toasting compartment.

Abstract: This drop-down toaster has a bread support and a door at the bottom of each toasting compartment. The door has a series of vent holes for air convection which produces improved uniformity in the toast. The door and bread support are held closed by rollers on solenoid-controlled sliding bars. The rollers allow the door to swing open before the bread support is released, and they return the door and bread support to their normal condition automatically by a cam action. The bread support is cammed upwardly before release to dislodge bread from the toasting compartment guide wires. An electronic timing circuit is located in a base underneath and spaced vertically from the toasting section so that it is not affected by heat from the toasting section. The timing circuit is compensated in accordance with previous use rather than by sensing the temperature of the toasting compartment.

Abstract: A mechanical post mix beverage dispensing system is presented in which one soda and/or water valve is common to a plurality of syrup valves. The common soda and/or water valve is automatically actuated upon actuation of any of the syrup valves to provide a desired syrup-soda or water mixture. The soda and/or water valve may also be actuated independently of the syrup valves to dispense only soda or water.

Abstract: An air ventilation and cleaning system for cooking equipment having an exhaust hood disposed thereover in a building having a heating-ventilating and air-conditioning system for treating the air in the building. The exhaust hood includes a collection chamber and an exhaust chamber with an initial filter means mounted therebetween. An exhaust fan draws air loaded with cooking vapors, odors, fumes, smoke and other pollutants collected in the collection chamber through the filter means and the exhaust chamber, and out through an exhaust passage provided with a water-wash filter and a final filter, and then to the atmosphere. A source of fresh air provides a predetermined amount of fresh makeup air to the collection chamber.

Abstract: An air ventilation system for cooking equipment having an exhaust hood disposed thereover in a building having a heating-ventilating and air-conditioning system for treating the air in the building. The exhaust hood includes a collection chamber and an exhaust chamber with a filter means mounted therebetween. An exhaust fan draws air loaded with cooking vapors, odors, fumes, smoke and other pollutants collected in the collection chamber through the filter and the exhaust chamber and out through an exhaust passage to the atmosphere. A source of fresh air provides a predetermined amount of fresh makeup air to the collection chamber. A temperature control unit is connected to another source of fresh air, and to the return air duct of the heating-ventilating and air-conditioning system of the building or a room in the building, for providing a combination of fresh air and tempered air to an air curtain passage for forming an air curtain along the front side of the exhaust hood.

Abstract: This drop-down toaster has a bread support and a door at the bottom of each toasting compartment. The door has a series of vent holes for air convection which produces improved uniformity in the toast. The door and bread support are held closed by rollers on solenoid-controlled sliding bars. The rollers allow the door to swing open before the bread support is released, and they return the door and bread support to their normal condition automatically by a cam action. The bread support is cammed upwardly before release to dislodge bread from the toasting compartment guide wires. An electronic timing circuit is located in a base underneath and spaced vertically from the toasting section so that it is not affected by heat from the toasting section. The timing circuit is compensated in accordance with previous use rather than by sensing the temperature of the toasting compartment.

Abstract: A tool which can separate the skin of a potato from its meat while simultaneously cutting the meat into usable sections is disclosed. The tool has a handle which mounts at one end a cutting edge assembly shaped to cut along the inside of the potato skin and lengthwise through the meat of the potato when the tool is held in one hand and a partially-baked potato which has been cut lengthwise is held in the other and the tool manipulated to cause the cutting edge assembly to be drawn lengthwise through the potato.

Abstract: A set of blades is held in the blade-supporting section of a base frame connected to a mounting section, which attaches it to a table surface with the blades overhanging the surface. A pusher head having a number of fingers is pivotally connected to the mid-portion of a handle which is rotatably mounted on the frame. A tilting linkage is rotatably connected to the pusher and to the frame for disposing the pusher more directly through the blades at the end of its stroke than if the pusher were rigidly attached to the handle. The chopped pieces pass directly to the container in a free space below the blade section of the frame. Pairs of struts and tilting linkages balance and stabilize the operating action.

Abstract: A guarded tomato slicer has a sharp rack of blades mounted substantially diagonally across a table with a loading area disposed between a retracted pusher and the sharp edges of the blades. A swinging vertical gate is mounted in front of the loading area on a vertical pivot adjacent the rack of blades. The gate is resiliently poised in front of the loading area. The gate and pusher are short enough to clear each other when a tomato is pushed into the loading area against and through the swinging gate, which covers the sharp edges of the rack of blades to guard them. The swinging gate has an apertured roof to shield the top of the loading area. As deflectable outer segment of the roof has a projection which provides an outward limit of travel for the swinging gate and is deflectable to permit removal of the swinging gate. The pusher is mounted on a pair of horizontal slide rods connected to the top of the rack having lower extensions which extend downwardly together to provide a support foot.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for fluids is disclosed in the form of a cold plate of the type utilized with ice cooled beverage dispensers. The cold plate has a heat conducting casting in which are embedded conduits for various liquids to be cooled, such as various flavored syrups, sweet water and carbonated water. One of the fluid conduits, such as that for the carbonated water, is formed of two tubular members, with a third tubular member interconnecting the first two tubular members. The first two tubular members are substantially planar with a convoluted or serpentine shape. The two tubular members are positioned as two layers, with the top layer or first tubular member adjacent to the top surface of the casting against which the ice is positioned.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve for effecting diffusion of a flow of pressurized diluent to substantially atmospheric pressure and mixing the diluent with a gravity flow of beverage concentrate in controlled proportions and dispensing a mixed beverage therefrom by gravity flow. Separate valving chambers are provided for the diluent and the concentrate flow and the valves are individually actuated by electric solenoids. A removable nozzle assembly is provided which includes a removable thin orifice plate for metering the flow of the concentrate for effecting complete mixing. A pressure responsive device is provided to give additional force biasing the concentrate valve to the closed position, thereby permitting the use of concentrates containing pulping liquid.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a liquid flavoring additive under pressure, particularly a non-homogeneous liquid such as high pulp orange juice concentrate, utilizes a fluid pressure to assist in terminating discharge of the liquid flavoring. The fluid pressure may be achieved by utilizing the same compressed air utilized to force the liquid flavoring through the valve structure. Suitable controls, such as a three-way valve, may be utilized to apply the pressurized air to a diaphragm on which a valve member is carried when the valve is to be closed to preclude discharge of the liquid flavoring additive, and to remove the pressure on the diaphragm, such as by venting it to air, when it is desired to permit discharge of the liquid flavoring.

Abstract: In a beverage dispenser of the type having a diluent mixed with a syrup to produce the beverage to be dispensed, provision is made for utilizing a relatively high flow rate. To achieve the relatively high flow rate, a depressurizing system utilizing a vortex chamber is located at the output end of the valve arrangement. The flow path of the diluent through the valve arrangement before the depressurizing system is designed to minimize pressure drops. Diluent leaving the depressurizing system has its velocity decreased by a diffusing structure before being passed for mixing with the syrup. The diffusing system also decreases the swirl imparted to the diluent in the depressurizing system.

Abstract: A device for mixing and dispensing a flow of liquid concentrated beverage ingredient from a constant volume pump with a pressurized diluent supplied from a source at a preselected flow rate through a flow control device. Diluent flow and liquid concentrate flow intersect and converge into a common fluid passageway which, in turn, flows into a fluid chamber formed by a housing. A tubular spout containing first and second restrictive orifices extends into the chamber formed by the housing and is sealed thereto by a pair of seal rings. The tubular spout can be rotated to a first or second position dependent upon the consistency of the liquid concentrate desired to be dispensed, thereby selectively permitting fluid to flow through the first orifice or both orifices. The unmixed diluent and liquid concentrate in the fluid chamber flow through the orifices and are mixed therein resulting in a homogeneous and uniformly mixed beverage.

Abstract: A recirculating carbonator and beverage dispenser requires only one pump. The system's function can be enhanced by the use of a two position spool valve having a fresh water inlet port, a carbonated water inlet port, and a fluid outlet port commonly connected with a central bore. A spool member is slidably disposed within the bore to selectively interrupt fluid communication between the carbonated water inlet port and the liquid outlet port during the presence of a low water signal generated by a level sensing device within the system's carbonation tank. During the interruption, fresh make-up water is added to the system. The level sensing device includes a body with a longitudinal bore therethrough, an inlet for the constantly flowing fluid, and a venturi tube depending from the body.